A new court ruling says South Bend Schools must make the former Clay High School available for the Career Academy to lease or buy.

Portage Township Trustee Jason Critchlow says the building belongs to the public and should be used to help students, not become a fight between schools.

Critchlow says students at Riley, Adams, Washington and Career Academy are all part of the South Bend community, and he wants lawmakers to support them all.

South Bend Schools adopted a plan in April 2023 to reuse the Clay High School building rather than close it completely.

The judge found that the state missed several deadlines, failed to respond to the school district and went beyond its authority.

The state has appealed an earlier ruling in the case.